Bought a new toy...

[Benhameen]

Well new to me anyway, I've been wanting to get back to riding on the street for a while now and this bike showed up at a very reasonable price. Had to drive about 150 miles to get it but it was worth it. Although, it was 43 degrees when I started riding it home, great way to get my feet wet again...rode about 200 miles the first day and was on my tractor for a hour or so too. Lol.

03 Yamaha FJR 1300
34,000 miles
Two bell helmets
Tank bag
I'm in it for less than $3000 including tax title and license.

The FJRs are a sport touring bike that is very comfy to ride yet still has the get up and go if needed. At 6'3" I may look into the bar risers that are available to give myself just a little added comfort.

 

[alansz400]

Nice bike. Heated jacket liner is the best $ I ever spent. Makes those nasty rides enjoyable.

 

[Benhameen]

Thanks man, I'm sure I'll get into better gear in the near future. Wasn't really expecting that low of temps around here this time of year. Honestly, it wasn't all that bad. The windshield is adjustable and that really help deflect some of the wind.

 

[RCW]

Congrats - - Nice bike for a nice price!

If I recall correctly, the FJR is a descendent from their sport bikes back to the mid-'80's - been a good run of real good bikes for many years. The 1300 has plenty of power - nice bike.

The hard bags are a real convenient option to have.

Co-worker's husband rides a FJR 1300, was just looking at his the other day. His hard bags are big enough to hold a full-face helmet.

I just sold my Harley a few weeks ago - haven't missed it...yet....

 

[skeets]

Im not much of a ricer fan, but I have to admit some of those beasts are truly bullet prof. She looks clean and the price is for sure right, and welcome back into the wind,,, An old biker bud, may he rest in peace,,, once told me son it don't matter what you ride as long as YOU ride. Iwas riding a hopped up Honda at the time.
Samuel, use to say
Ride as if you are invisible to every one else on the high way.
Rode safe ride often and enjoy

 

[Benhameen]

Thanks guys. Skeetz, best advise anyone ever gave in regards to riding on the street. Assume you're invisible...it has served me well. I pass it along anytime I can to other riders.

Needed a couple things for my mower this morning, perfect time to hop on the scooter and run to the farm store. Hard bags worked great to haul the items I needed.

 

[skeets]

LMAO there is ALWAYS a good reason to take the bike,, I mean look at how much gas your saving, and how much your helping the environment by not taking that gas guzzler,,, coff coff
Just remember to get the smile off your face before you walk in to the house

 

[TripleR]

Congratulations on your motorcycle, health issues made me quit riding a couple of years ago and I gave my Harley to my son, sure miss it.

While my last bike was a Harley, I like them all, street and dirt.

 

[Benhameen]

Thanks tripleR, I'm not a huge HD guy but I certainly think they can be works of art. When I rode a sport bike years ago I noticed that most HD riders would not wave, this could have just been my perception. I've had a couple other runs with a few guys that left a bad taste in my mouth as well. Since riding this bike, I've noticed that almost every rider I pass waves, I was actually really glad to see it.

 

[85Hokie]

I sold my ZZR Kaw ....mmm.....was that 4 years ago? Got tired of being invisible !!! EVERY single car I would think - that guy is gonna change lanes w/o seeing me, the woman is gonna cut left in front of me.....etc!

I always rode with both lights on (high beams) and got to the point that riding was not "fun" ........so I too sold it, and right away found out that orange is more FUN!

 

[coachgeo]

Get an Air Bag Jacket!!! Your loved ones will thank you. Once one's ego is tossed away; get up after the spill or cager throwing you off , ....... you'll thank the air jacket too.

 

[armylifer]

Here is a little video that I came across that is pretty interesting about avoiding accidents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqQBubilSXU

I happen to live in an area where people tend to pull out in front of motorcyclists often. The driving technique discussed in this video has helped me avoid accidents several times.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks tripleR, I'm not a huge HD guy but I certainly think they can be works of art. When I rode a sport bike years ago I noticed that most HD riders would not wave, this could have just been my perception. I've had a couple other runs with a few guys that left a bad taste in my mouth as well. Since riding this bike, I've noticed that almost every rider I pass waves, I was actually really glad to see it.

I wasn't either for most of my riding life, too slow, handling mediocre at best, oil leaks and I got really tired of the pi** poor used trade in or sale value my Japanese bikes.

The quality and reliability got better and my riding style changed so the Harley fit me quite well. I was never a "true" Harley rider, no leather uniform and no tattoos and never even owned a trucker's billfold.

 

[skeets]

That was pretty good armylifter,, but some of old guys remember
Not So easy Rider
https://youtu.be/9eFNcbltDnM?t=31

 

[armylifer]

That was pretty good armylifter,, but some of old guys remember
Not So easy Rider
https://youtu.be/9eFNcbltDnM?t=31

I am one of those older riders but I don't remember that video you linked to. That was a good one though. It would have been cool if Dennis Hopper was in it too. I noticed that Evel's bike had a license plate from Wisconsin. That is my home state.

 

[Dr Honda]

Congrats on the toy. $3k for an FJR seems like you stole it. I've been contemplating a sport-tour bike as of late... but I just haven't found one I can live with. The last FJR I was on had the cool auto-clutch, and button shifter.


In the garage right now... I have "David and Goliath." A Honda Grom (9hp) and a Suzuki B-King. (183 hp) It's a miss-matched pair, but they are both fun.

 

[armylifer]

Hey Skeets, here is one for you. This is one that I remember from my early riding days. My first real motorcycle was a Honda CB 350. This is the training film that they showed me when I bought it. Notice that they are not wearing helmets in this film? When I first got my license in 1970, helmets were not required nor even seen on riders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKokq7JYh6Y

 

[skeets]

I had a CB 350 F, she was a screamer, and after the scooter bums work it over good lord almighty

 

[Benhameen]

Couple good looking bikes there dr Honda. I have two more in the garage I'll snap a pic of when I get a chance.

Thanks for the video links guys, much appreciated.

I love those cb's, most all of them. My grandpa was a bit of a horse trader and I have very fond memories of some really nice cb's when I was young.

Check out this link, some good info.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ewDS5ROrLcE

 

[armylifer]

I have do that target fixation thing a few times in my almost 50 year riding career. I think that I have finally overcome that urge to fixate on what is ahead of me but a reminder like that video helps to ensure that I am at least thinking about what I am doing a little more.

One of the most recent episodes of target fixation that I experienced was in Sturgis last August. I was riding with a large group of riders on ALT 16 around Mount Rushmore. The group included 3 of my brothers and me. I was following one of my brothers around the twisty's and I almost missed a hard turn in the road that my brother also almost missed. I almost missed that turn because I was more focused on where my brother was going than where the road was going. Fortunately, we both made it through that hard curve without mishap but it was one of the hairiest moments of that particular ride. The moral of that story is that one must be ever aware of the road ahead.